Food safety Is of Increasing Importance In higher-Income countries where con­sumers demand higher quality and saf­er food. They will do so through the market when Information makes it possible. They will demand better assurances of safety through govern­ment regulations where externalities and health risks prevail. The microeco­nomics of this demand for Increased food safety Is discussed in terms of how It can lead to non-tariff barriers to trade that might ultimately be regulated by the GATT. The public goods nature of food safety Is explored along a con­tinuum of food quality characteristics for the purpose of Identifying when government regulations are needed.